The New England Patriots have announced the hiring of Michael Lombardi as an assistant to the coaching staff.

Lombardi was recently let go as general manager of the Cleveland Browns.

Lombardi worked with Bill Belichick during the 1990s with the Browns.

Michael Lombardi was part of the New England Patriots' traveling contingent on Wednesday to the NFL combine.

Lombardi's relationship with Bill Belichick goes back to the early 1990s when both were with the Cleveland Browns.

Lombardi was relieved of his duties as general manager of the Browns this month and had been in talks about joining the Patriots.

Emmanuel Sanders is note expected to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.

Sanders has begun preparations for the open market, parting ways with agent Jordan Woy.

Sanders is already on the radar of the New York Jets, while the New England Patriots could also be interested.

The Steelers have indicated that they plan on drafting a big wide receiver in May.

The New England Patriots have spent cheaply for backup quarterbacks over the past six seasons.

The average backup quarterback makes approximately $3.5 million to $4 million per season, but the Patriots have spent as little as $310,000 and no more than $776,976.

The Patriots moved away from Brian Hoyer in 2012 when he had a restricted free agent tender of $1.9 million and could do the same in 2015 when Ryan Mallett begins making a salary on par for a backup.

The Patriots could select a developmental quarterback in the middle to late rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft to begin the process of replacing Mallett.

The Las Vegas Hilton has posted its early odds for Super Bowl XLIX, which will take place in Arizona in 2015.

Seahawks 6/1
Broncos 6/1
49ers 7/1
Patriots 12/1
Packers 15/1
Saints 15/1
Falcons 18/1
Bengals 18/1
Panthers 20/1
Colts 25/1
Chiefs 25/1
Eagles 25/1
Bears 25/1
Cardinals 25/1
Cowboys 30/1
Giants 30/1
Washington 30/1
Lions 30/1
Rams 30/1
Steelers 30/1
Ravens 30/1
Texans 30/1
Chargers 30/1
Dolphins 40/1
Buccaneers 40/1
Titans 40/1
Jets 60/1
Bills 60/1
Vikings 60/1
Browns 60/1
Jaguars 100/1
Raiders 100/1